Chapter 158
Chapter 158
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: 14. Closer Than Friendship, Farther Than Love (6)
“The Master of the Magic Tower, huh.”
“She's someone whose very humanity is in question.”
“Is that so?”
I hadn't known because I wasn't interested. Professor Elvin explained in detail about the woman known as the Tower Master or Dean.
“Above all, the most unique thing is her eyes. They say she can see right into a person's essence just by looking.”
“You managed to hold up in a place like that, Professor.”
“Haha. She said society needs a few materialistic types to keep it running. Anyway, she seems somewhat detached from the world, so be careful around her.”
After hearing his explanation, I followed Dalia back to visit the Tower Master's room. I'd imagined the path to the Tower Master would be complicated with lots of security checks, but it turned out to be a simple magic elevator ride straight up.
“The reason there's no guard is because none of the mages who could be stationed here can fight as well as the Tower Master...”
“Ah. Yeah, that makes sense.”
Even His Majesty the Emperor—no, Alina—had said my side was the safest place to be.
And she wasn't entirely wrong.
Anyway, Dalia pressed the bell, and when I heard a voice from inside telling me to come in, I opened the door and entered.
“Come in.”
“Yes. Yulius Lebedev.”
“Oh? I heard you were trying to abandon your family name.”
“Professor Elvin Clask, who invited me, did so under the Lebedev name, so isn't it right to act in line with the host's intentions?”
“Honest. Excellent.”
The woman with a pipe in her mouth—she looked like a young girl, but was probably the Tower Master—offered me a cigar, which I declined.
She tapped her long pipe on the armrest with a disappointed look, brushed her blue hair back behind her ear, and spoke.
“I'm Gwen... Gwendolyn. I manage the Magic Tower. Gwen, Gwendolyn, Gwendi—call me whatever's comfortable.”
“Lady Gwendolyn. I'd like to hear why you've summoned me.”
“Before I answer, I'd like to hear why you're asking.”
“I've heard that the Tower Master has little interest in worldly affairs. It didn't seem like you'd invite me just because some Lebedev kid showed up.”
“There's one important reason, one less important one, and one that's not crucial but intriguing. Which do you want first?”
“The important one.”
“I needed an expert on demons. That brat Elvin may not be great at research, but he's sharp and well-informed—that's his strength. And what he found out was that some damn demon spawn is after the Magic Tower's assets.”
“Can't a powerful mage handle it?”
“When it comes to the core followers of the Demon God Cult, you're often defeated before the fight even starts if you underestimate them and don't prepare.”
I fell silent, and taking that as agreement, she nodded and continued.
“Well, with an excellent frontliner that even mages can't easily replace, and one rich in demon knowledge, why wouldn't I call him?”
“No reason at all. I understand.”
“Good. Now, which next?”
“The less important one first...”
“Ah, that's my personal curiosity. I've lived a fair while myself, but you're the first person with behavioral patterns as hard to read as the rumored little Duke Yulius.”
“In what sense?”
“You know your rights and duties as a noble well. You're the embodiment of noblesse oblige, unafraid to work for those beneath you. But you feel burdened and uncomfortable when someone tries to praise or follow you. You're endlessly forgiving of others' mistakes, yet when everyone crosses the line, you leave without a shred of attachment.”
“...”
“And looking into your eyes now, I can guess. You seem fine on the outside, but deep down, you carry a fatal deficiency and guilt.”
I hesitated for a moment. Whatever I said here seemed likely to cause misunderstandings.
Talking about my past life was out of the question. So.
“...Honestly, yes, I think so.”
“What makes you feel lacking and yearning?”
“Family bonds, perhaps.”
“Hah.”
The Tower Master let out a breath in disbelief.
After a brief silence, she asked again in a slightly lower voice.
“Can this old woman hear why you cling to something like that?”
“I thought there must be something special between people bound by blood.”
“Most of the time, yes. If a selfless relationship exists, it's bound to be one tied by blood above all.”
“But I've never received unconditional love from family by blood or otherwise. I always had to prove my worth.”
“To whom?”
“To the people who see me. And most importantly, to myself.”
“Why prove it to yourself?”
“If I feel worthless, others are likely to think the same. Whenever I looked at myself and wasn't satisfied, I couldn't sleep from the anxiety.”
“What a harsh personality.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, closed her eyes and pressed them for a moment, adjusted her posture, and spoke first again.
“Thanks for answering honestly. I'm curious about the root of that anxiety too, but I'd better not pry further. Want to hear the last reason?”
“If you're willing to tell me.”
“The coffee that researcher Dalia brought—I liked it quite a bit. I called you to discuss a formal supply contract.”
“Happy to.”
It had been a while since I'd heard good news, and I felt my face relax. Just in case, I'd brought some coffee drip bags, so I explained how to use them and brewed two cups for us to share.
I'd been worried because she looked like a child, but seeing her sip the coffee with a serene expression, it seemed she genuinely enjoyed it, which put me at ease.
“When the warm liquid slides down the throat into the stomach, there's this inexplicable comfort. It relaxes you without making you drowsy—truly exquisite. And savoring the subtle aroma reveals layers of flavors blended together.”
“I'll compile a list of flavors for each coffee bean and send it over later.”
“Ah, that sounds good. Guessing from your own senses is scholarly fun, but confirming known facts with your body is rewarding too.”
Time passed as we silently drank our shares.
She'd set her pipe down for a while but picked it up again after finishing her coffee.
“Well, I get why the Imir Kingdom dotes on you. A noble scarred in the heart who grew up, but turns boyish when doing what he loves. That gap charms those below and above alike. A strong leader with weaknesses and boyish innocence—women will like that too.”
“...Is that right.”
“So, how much are you asking?”
“Ahem.”
“With your personality, you probably haven't decided yet, but it's important to settle quickly. And if you've kept them waiting, compensate accordingly.”
“Lady Gwendolyn must have some romantic history herself.”
“...It wasn't easy. I guess research appealed to me more than romance or marriage.”
I laughed along with her hearty chuckle.
I finished my coffee and said,
“While I'm staying here, if we meet again, I'll greet you.”
“Oh? Want to go back already?”
“No. But I have someone I want to meet too.”
“Those two from the Academy? The girl with flowers in her head and the professor who subtly gives off a vibe similar to yours.”
“Yes. That's right.”
“The first one—well, she'll get over it quick after you grab her and give her a verbal beating. But the second is dangerous.”
“Pardon?”
“When two people with the same kind of wounds meet, they just lick each other's injuries. It doesn't hurt right away, so they want to prolong it, but moving forward becomes harder. Be careful not to stagnate.”
I thought back on my connection with Professor Selene for a moment. Come to think of it, from our first meeting, there'd been a strange sense of kinship, and we both had past pains.
We never shared what hurt or had hurt us, but the time was comfortable.
I felt trust in how she cared for her students as a professor, and she'd said she liked seeing me help my peers.
I hadn't realized it, but it seemed I'd been seeking peaceful times for the sake of that comfort.
“I'll think about it more.”
“Sure. I just give advice; the decision's yours.”
“Still, I think it was advice worth acknowledging.”
“That's something the students and professors in our Magic Tower could learn. They throw fits like a bomb went off if I give advice on their research.”
She waved me off with a flick of her hand.
I bowed in greeting, stood, and opened the door.
“Ah, I almost forgot to ask one last thing.”
“What is it?”
“That goddess's power. What was the price you paid?”
“Most of my life.”
She smirked at my words and called out behind me.
“See? You're the same type as me.”